The Pandemic, Gender, and Work Productivity: Evidence from the Real Estate Brokerage Industry

We study the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on real estate agent work productivity, highlighting differences between male and female agents. We show that relative to male counterparts, female listing agent performance is more adversely affected by the pandemic. The loss of productivity is greater for women with fewer years of experience, who are more likely to be part-timers or parents with school-age children. The results are robust across alternative specifications and matched sample analysis. The empirical evidence is consistent with a family division of labor in which women bear a greater proportion of the burden of domestic work and child care. This division of labor compromises women's job productivity and reduces compensation-effects magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic.